As I was looking for innovation in healthcare, I came across a company called Palarum that got my attention. Palarum is pushing the envelope of technology and innovation to significantly improve healthcare. In my research, I went to Patrick Baker who is a visionary and pioneer innovating at the intersection of wearables and technology.

Robert Reiss: Can you share with us how new wearable technologies are helping to improve patient care?

Patrick Baker: As a former chief nursing officer, I experienced firsthand the benefits and challenges of introducing new technologies that not only improve patient care but also improve the patient experience. This is especially true for SMART wearable technology. Wearable medical devices provide clinicians the ability to remotely monitor patients 24/7 in almost any setting. This is especially important as hospitals continue to expand their telehealth and “at home” care capabilities.

Patrick Baker, CEO, Palarum

 CHRIS BAKER

Reiss: An example of new wearable technology is Palarum’s PUP® Smart Sock. Can you share with us where it is currently being used and the impact it is having?

Baker: A hospital stay is stressful, the PUP® Smart Sock enhances patient comfort and safety and is a tremendous benefit for healthcare providers, providing a convenient, easy-to-use, scalable remote patient monitoring solution. Eliminating the use of motion detection bed alerts, allows patients to move around in their bed uninhibited.

Baker: Our mission is to identify and create innovative solutions that helps improve patient safety and outcomes. That is why I am so excited by the potential of wearable technologies in healthcare. Wearable technologies are more than just a monitoring tool, it provides a mobile platform capable of capturing and sharing patient data in almost any setting. This includes rehab facilities, clinics or even the patients’ home.

But an equally important role Palarum will provide is the synthesizing of the patient data being collected. The data needs can vary significantly by each team member in a healthcare system, so we must work with our healthcare partners to determine what information is needed, when it is needed and how best to deliver it. We will also ensure that our data platforms are capable of sharing this data with a healthcare’s EMR systems.

Reiss: As patient care shifts to remote care, telehealth, and homecare, what is the future for Palarum?

Baker: Palarum provides the perfect platform to support remote healthcare needs. Both our PUP fall prevention solution and our Mobility and Gait Assessment application can be utilized anywhere a WiFi signal is available. Our data capturing and reporting applications can be downloaded to a designated smartphone, tablet, or computer, enabling clinicians to use a standard Wi-Fi connection to interact remotely to monitor and review patient activity.

Additionally, we are planning to offer a home health solution to provide the same monitoring capabilities to family members providing care for their loved ones.

Reiss: What do you see as the future of wearables in healthcare?

Baker: Wearable technology will continue to evolve and provide significant benefits for patient care. We are excited by the promise of integrating improved biometric sensors into remote monitoring products. These devices can be conveniently worn by or applied directly onto patients and will enhance healthcare providers’ capabilities for conducting telehealth and home health care. They will also allow patients and their families to spend less time in hospitals for care that can be delivered more economically in an environment where the patient is most comfortable.